HARMONY - Custodial Supervisor Blaine Moe attended the Fillmore Central School Board meeting on April 22 to update the board on facility summer projects, and to make a few requests.

According to Moe, the estimate previously received for completely replacing the Middle School roof was around $400,000. However, Moe came up with a plan to repair the parts that need repairing in both the middle and elementary buildings at a fraction of that cost.

The part of the middle school roof that is ballasted, or covered with rock, is in bad shape and desperately needs replacing, Moe said. He also mentioned that the brick at the elementary is the wrong kind of brick, and absorbs moisture. The cost to remove the caps, replace the bricks and put caps back on would be $8,021. The approximate cost to replace the ballasted roof at the middle school would be $25,600. Moe explained that a rubber membrane from Firestone will be placed under the rocks. There are also some leaks in the seams that could be repaired, and training could be provided for staff to do it themselves. Along with materials, the total cost of that would be $2,740.

The roof over the middle school gym is from 1959, and also needs a lot of work, but Moe said they could do some patching and get through another year with it. The total cost of repairs for this summer would be around $40,000. Moe is waiting on another bid, and board member Sue Ostrom recommended a company that would offer a bid as well.

Moe also asked for approval to hire two part-time people to fill a full-time position in maintenance. He would also need a person to work 20 hours a week over the summer to help out with these repairs. The board approved going ahead with the project, getting bids and hiring the needed help.

Moe also requested the district purchase new equipment for the custodial staff at the elementary and middle schools. Moe requested a new auto floor scrubber, a floor buffer, a wet vacuum and a squeegee to replace outdated equipment that is in bad shape. The total cost for these items is $9,100. No action was taken on the request.

Food Service and

Open Campus

The board approved hiring Taher Food Service as the vendor for the next two years. The district has been satisfied with them. The bid, which has to be a per meal cost, was $1.53 per meal. Superintendent Myrna Luehmann said Taher will be discussing the budget in the fall and will probably request a raise in lunch prices.

Board member John Torgrimson asked if it would make a difference economically to have a closed campus during lunch. There was some discussion about what other schools are doing and how to make that work. High School Principal Heath Olstad said that it was something to take a look at, and he believed that it could be monitored during the lunch hour.

Board member Deb Ristau made a motion to change it gradually, by having the incoming freshmen in the fall have a closed campus. The next year it would be the freshmen and sophomores, and the next year freshmen, sophomores and juniors. After that, only seniors would be allowed to have an open campus. The motion passed.

Fall Sports

Coaches for fall sports were approved. Athletic Director Jane Montgomery informed the board that all coaching positions in football and volleyball will be the same as last year, with the addition of Jodi Daniels for a ninth grade volleyball team. Montgomery claimed the numbers from spring registration have warranted a new coach. She added that so far there have been a lot of students signed up for football, around 92 for all grades. There have also been a lot of girls signed up for cheerleading. The board approved the hires, with the ninth grade volleyball team to be readdressed in the fall when final numbers are known.

Staffing Changes

Resignations were accepted from Alicia Cremer and Sue Snell. Cremer has taught Spanish at the high school for many years, and Snell has been teaching elementary school for 33 years. The board thanked them for their years of service.

The FTE hours of high school Industrial Technology teacher Dennis Peterson were decreased to one section, and the FTE of Art teacher Jason Detert were increased from .67 to .83.

The board approved the summer Community Ed. employees. Ryan Scheevel is the director and Jenna Trende is the assistant director. Business Manager Kathy Whalen said the cost of Summer Rec. is being mostly covered by the cities of Harmony and Preston, and the cost to the district will be even less in future years.

Non-tenured teachers Alan Marsh, Ana Olson-Johnson and Heather Klenke were placed on non-renewal of their contracts for next year. Support staff were placed on seasonal layoff for the summer.

Other business

K-8 Principal Brenda Lentz said Stage Theatre will be coming to the elementary and middle schools as part of the Artist in Residency Program. They will be at the school from May 5-9, and will be working with the students on performing, improvisation and other things. There will be a performance on May 9.

The board approved a lawn mowing bid from Wintergreen Lawn for $300 per time. They will have a two-year contract.

The Junior Olympic Volleyball team made a donation to the school of $100 for the use of the gym. They also donated seven cases of pop for the senior class.

Olstad informed the board that the Spring Play will be held on May 9-10. Baccalaureate will be on May 18, and the Senior Awards night is May 19.

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